“That’s where I would die. O Lord, what about my family? What about the T-shirts I promised to order for the church? What about…”
Sixteen years ago I was a young mom to a 2-year-old little girl and I joined the Moms Group at our church. Once a week this gave us moms a chance to get together at church with free childcare for that precious hour, snacks, and good company. Each week we sat in a circle and discussed life, mom topics, finances, friendship, and prayer. Now my 2-year-old is an adult and I have another “little one”, a 13-year-old son.
I met some wonderful people during those meaningful Moms Group meetings and one of my favorite was Laurie. Back then, she was wife to our youth pastor, Brian. They were such blessings to our church. Laurie was mom, wife, pastor’s wife, leader, songstress, and speaker. Laurie and Brian eventually moved on from our church and entered the mission field that carried them to minister in Mexico. Now back in the states, this mom of three (two adults and one at home) and her husband are still following God’s plan as they lead a church here in Michigan.
Laurie still wears all those hats that I mentioned but she recently added a new one: author. Laurie just celebrated the release of her new book and I was one of the first to jump on Amazon and purchase it. I knew it was forthcoming and I had been awaiting its release so I could get my hands on a copy of this gem. I want to share it with you as well so be sure to enter the giveaway below.
Stumbling Along is an easy read. It’s not only easy to read because Laurie’s words are clear and written for the “regular person”, but because it’s written for the real person. We all have suffered through some foibles in everyday life, in parenting, and in marriage. We usually blush, feel like a dummy, and move on, hoping nobody saw what we just did there. But Laurie has chosen to bare her heart and open her life, humbling herself so we can laugh with her and learn from her.
In a world where we’re led to believe we need to be perfect or we’re not doing it right, Laurie dispels this myth with her wisdom and her humor. With chapters titled “Tarantulas in the Toilet” and “I Almost Killed the Pastor’s Wife” you know you must read this book.
“That’s when I saw it. A big, giant hairy, size-of-a-car tarantula was sitting inside the toilet bowl.”
But it’s not all amusement. Laurie makes us think too with a Digging Deeper section that rounds out each chapter. One question asks: “Name a time when you forgot or just didn’t listen, and there was a consequence.” Another that moved me: “Sometimes it’s difficult for us to forget the mistake we have made and move on. Pray right now for God to help you put behind the things that need to be put behind and to give you the strength to move forward from your mistakes.”
Stumbling Along is real, funny, raw, and welcoming. Laurie uses her own experiences and God’s word to minister to us–her readers–and at the end of each chapter you feel loved, entertained, and drawn deeper into God’s word. This is a great book for personal read, a gift for a friend, and a small group or Bible study.
Check out Laurie’s blog and website and invite her to speak at your church or women’s event and make sure you enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a copy of Stumbling Along! The drawing starts now and ends at midnight, Thursday, November 19th. The blessed winner of Laurie’s book will be announced back here in a fresh post Friday morning, November 20th so bookmark or subscribe to the blog so you will be notified via email of the winner!
Stumbling Along by Laurie Yost: Book Giveaway!
